Liquid applying unit



Nov. l1, 1941. D. P. HUNTER LIQUID APPLYING UNIT Filed Oct. 30, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l Will/[Il D. P. HUNTER LIQUID APPLYING UNIT Nov.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct 30, 1939 l I l l l l l l Nov. 11, 1941., D. F. HUNTER LIQUID APPLYING UNIT Filed Oct. 30, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Z JM Zivi-ey Nov. 1l, 194L D. P. HUNTER LIQUID APPLYING UNIT Filed Oot. '30, 1939 ,4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Izzyelzlar n NN m@ .Kiabi Patented Nov. 11, 1941 LIQUID APPLYING UNIT Donald P. Hunter, Los Angeles, Calif., assigner to Turco Products, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application October 30, 1939, Serial No. 301,884

6 Claims.

My invention has to do with liquid application systems wherein liquids, such as chemicals in solution, are supplied under pressure and in proper quantities to a nozzle element from which they are sprayed.

For instance, one of the chief uses to which my invention is adaptable is as a washing unit for automobiles and the like wherein a solution of water, cleaning chemical and air is sprayed onto the surface being washed. One disadvantage of chemical application units of the prior art is that they are of a structure which does not positively prevent chemicals backing up into and contaminating the city water lines to which they are necessarily connected for Water supply. Another shortcoming of prior art devices with which I am familiar resides in the fact that they are of a structure which, for any practicable capacity, requires a relatively large pressure tank within which the solution is contained and from which it is forced by air pressure through the nozzle. When such devices are sold in commerce, not only are the shipping costs relatively high but considerable difficulties are often experienced in complying with the varying regulations of different States concerning the varying specifications of pressure tanks of such sizes. Prior art devices also possess other shortcoming which have prevented them from going into general commercial use and it is among the objects of my invention to produce a unit or system which fully overcomes those shortcomings.

For instance, it is among my objects to provide a device which includes a positive shut-01T of the main water line at a point substantially behind the point in the line at which chemical solution is present, which shut-oil is under full and instant control of the operator at a point remote to the Water shut-off valve structure.

Other important objects of my invention are the provision of a compact unit: which is easily movable from place to place; which has an open top chemical solution container for easy filling and checking of solution supply; in which it is possible to use an extremely small pressure tank for a device of relatively large capacity; wherein all control valves which are only occasionally manipulated are enclosed within the main casing; in which all parts are easily accessible for repair, adjustment or replacement; which is eX- tremely light Weight in comparison with other devices of like character and capacity; which is simple of operation and which is economical of manufacture,

and corresponding attainments, those, together with the foregoing, will become obvious to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of one preferred form which my invention may take, for the purposes of which description I refer to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section, somewhat diagrammatic, with some parts shown in elevation;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section of one of the control valves and its actuating mechansm;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary View in section of one of the coupling members;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section of the two-Way valve;

Fig. 5 is a plan section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, showing a variational form of my invention;

Fig. 7 is a plan section on line 1.-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged .fragmentary section of a Venturi member;

Fig. 9 is a view, partly in longitudinal section, of the nozzle element;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section of Fig. 9, but showing the plunger Valve in open position; and

Fig. 11 is a cross-section on line I I-I I of Fig. 9.

My invention, in general, is comprised of the parts and novel arrangement and combination of parts as Will hereinafter appear.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a casing having a top cover 6 hinged to the casing at l. Within the casing, I provide a frame comprised of four angle iron corner posts I9 connected by four cross bars il, which cross bars provide transverse bracing for the lower part of the frame. The upper part of the frame is braced by having secured thereto the four corners of a solution tank I4 from which leads a solution outlet pipe I5 communicating at one end with the interior of tank I4 through a screen I'I and communicating at its other end with a solution dispensing tank 2D adapted to be large enough to hold a charge of solution ample for one Washing operation and designed to be maintained under pressure. Between the inlet and outlet ends of pipe I5, I interpose a check valve 2| which is comprised of a casing Zla, a flap member 2lb hinged thereto at 2Ic and an access plug 2Id. The solution in tank IlI passes to tank 20 by gravity flow when pressure within tank 20 is relieved as Will be hereinafter described.

A Water supply line 25, controlled exteriorly While my invention has many other objects of the casing by a shut-oli valve 26, leads through an opening 21 in the casing 5, through the control valve 38 and thence outwardly, through an opening 3| in'the casing, to the adapter 32 by which it is connected to a flexible hose 33 leading to a spray nozzle member N. ,Nozzle N may be of any suitable type adipted to receive and admix a plurality of streams of liquid and then spray the admixture. For instance, I show a nozzle particularly adaptable for this purpose in my copending application Serial Number 301,785, filed October 28, 1939, entitled Nozzles.

An air supply pipe 48, controlled exteriorly of the casing by a shut-oil valve 4|, enters the casing through an opening 42, passes through a restriction 44, through Ts 45, 46, 41, 48, respectively, and through an opening 49 in the casing to an adapter 50 by virture of which a flexible hose 52 is connected thereto. Hose 52 leads to the nozzle N. From T 45, a pipe 55 leads to one side of a diaphragm control unit 56, to be described. A pipe 68 leads from T 41 to therother side of the diaphragm 51 for the purpose to be later described. From T 46 an air delivery pipe 62 leads, through a conventional two-way valve shown diagrammatically at 63, to the pressure tank 28 above the liquid level therein. Valve 63 is operated from the exterior of casing by means of rod 63a. y

From below the liquid level in tank 28 a chemical solution delivery pipe 65 leads through a check valve 64 (seating in a direction towards the tank 28), through a manual control valve 66 to T 48. Within the T 88 a nipple 61 is mounted in the end of line 65 to provide a connection for a exible hose 18 leading to the nozzle N longitudinally through the air hose 52. Hose 18 is of a smaller external diameter than the interior diameter of pipe 48 and hose 52 to provide a passageway 1| within pipe 48 and hose 52 around hose 18. The air and solution entering nozzle N through lines 52, 18 may be cut off within the ynozzle inlet by a manually actuated control valve of conventional structure, shown diagrammatically at 14. 1- -Y In the operation of such devices, it often ben lcomes desirable to shut oir the spray at the nozzle .and in this connection it is highly desirable that lthewater supply from the water mains be instantly shut oi at a point substantially behind the nozzle to prevent any back pressures in the nozzle and hose line from forcing any chemical solution in the nozzle back into the main water supply. In my invention, I provide means for effectively accomplishing this endfwhich will now be described.

As best shown in Fig. 2., I show, in the water line, within casing 5, a valve 30 comprised of a T-shaped casing 15 having an inlet chamber 16 and an outlet chamber 11 separated by wall 18 having an opening therethrough forming a seat 19 for a valve 88. Valve 88 is normally urged into seating position by coil spring 8| seating at one end against valve 80 and at its other end within a recess provided in the plug 82. Valve 88 has secured thereto and extending upwardly from its opposite side an operating stem 85. Said stem passes through openings in the packing 86 and packing nut 81 carried by the casing 15, and its top end contacts the underside of a lever 98 which is pivotally mounted on a stud 9| projecting from casing 5, pins 92 in stud 9| preventing axial displacement of the lever. Diaphragm unit 56 is carried by brackets 95 and 95a 4projecting from casing 5, and is comprised ofan upper section` 91 and a lower section 98 secured .the liquid level L in tank I4. A63 is again moved to the position of Fig. 1 to together by screws 96. Between said sections the peripheral edge of a flexible diaphragm 51 is conned, said diaphragm having an annular corrugation |8| between its peripheral edge and its center for added flexibility. A valve actuat-v ing plunger |83 projects through lower casing section 98 by passing through boss |84, packing |85 and packing nut E86, the lower end of the plunger resting upon the free end of lever 98. The upper end of the plunger is secured in a central opening in diaphragm 51, the diaphragm being confined between the annular flange portion |81 of the plunger, the nut |88, and opposite cup washers IIB. Plunger |83 is normally urged into its uppermost position by spring 8|, lever 98 and by a coil spring |89, which latter spring is anchored at its lower end to lever 98 and at its upper end to a screw which is mounted in bracket and carries an adjustment nut IIIa. Thus the tension on the spring |89 may be adjusted by the nut ia and the tension on spring 8|, within the Valve casing, may be adjusted by means of the threaded plug 82. Spring 8| normally urges valve 88 toward seating position. The combined effective force of springs 8|,and |89 is sunicient to slightly overbalance the force of the air pressure acting upon the upper end of the plunger |83 when the pressures in chambers I2 and ||5 are equalized.

When valve 63 is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the solution in tank 28, pipe 65 and hose 18 is subjected to air pressure leading from pipe 48 to tank 28 via pipe 62, the flap 2lby of Valve 2| being automatically seated to prevent the solution Within the tank 28 from being forced back into the main tank I4 through line I5 by pressure in tank 28. One of the advantages of my invention resides in the structure which renders it possible to use such a relatively small pressure tank, designed to be only large enough to hold a charge of chemical solution sufcient for one cleaning operation. This feature is particularly advantageous inasmuch as it materially reduces the weight of the unit and makes it much easier to comply with various State regulations as to pressure tank specications. Pressure tanks must be of sufficiently strong and heavy material as to withstand large'pressures, whereas my solution supply tank I4, which contains the main solution supply, may be of relatively light material since 'it does not have to withstand pressures. After a charge of solution in pressure tank 20 is dispensed through the nozzle, I provide simple means for refilling the tank, and that means will now be described. First, of course, in order to enable the solution to pass from the main supply tank |4 (which is open to atmosphere) to the pressure tank 28 by gravity flow, the pressure within the tank 28 ,must be relieved and this is accomplished by means of the two-way valve 63 (Fig. l). This valve is shown in Fig. l in position establishing communication between the main air line and tank 28. When it is turned to the position shown in Fig. 4, the air line to the tank 28is closed 01T and pipe 62 below valve 63 is placed in communication with bleed pipe |32 so that the two pipes become a vent pipe to relieve the pressure within tank 28. As the tank 28 then lills by gravity iiow from main tank |4, the

liquid level in the pipe lines 62, |32 will rise to Thus when valve place the main air line 48 in communication with the tank 28, a small amount of. solution will be trapped in pipe |32 above valve 63, which trapped fluid will be blown out during the next operation ofbleeding the tank 20. Therefore, so that the trapped fluid will be returned into tank I4, I show the top end of pipe |32 as being U-shaped so that its discharge end is directed into tank |4.

The concentric air and solution lines 52, 10, respectively, communicate with the spray nozzle N through the coupling |35, control valve 14 and the nozzle inlet chamber |40. Solution line terminates a short distance ahead of valve 14 (see Fig. 9), and is provided with a springpressed check valve 12, the purpose of which will be described later. The water hose 33 communicates with nozzle inlet chamber |4| through the coupling |43. The nozzle devicel N which I have here shown, comprises a Water delivery tube |45 mounted concentrically within an air-solution delivery tube |46, tube |45 being of smaller exterior diameter than is the interior diameter of tube |46 to provide a passageway |41 therearound. The nozzle has a Venturi-shaped discharge outlet |50 through a tip plug |5| carried by tube |60, Which latter is threaded on tube |46 at |6| and between plug |5| and the discharge ends of the passageways through tubes |45, |45, I provide a mixing chamber |55 within which the several streams of fluid are thoroughly admixed. Within the chamber |55 and with its apex end towards the outlet ends of tubes |45, |46, I provide a cone-shape atomizing screen |59. A coneshaped plunger |58 is mounted in the end of tube |45 with its apex end within theoutlet end of the tube, said plunger being adapted to seat against theend of tube |45 when it is not held oiT its seat by pressure within the tube |45.

Plunger |58 is provided with an annular lip |58a which projects into the path of the air and solution stream at the discharge end of passage |41, so that the force of the air and solution stream impinging upon said lip will tend to move plunger |58 in an opening direction against the action of spring |51, which is positioned between plug |5| and plunger |53. For a given water pressure within tube |45, the flow of water past plunger |58 will be governed by thestrength of spring |51 and the force of the air and solution stream impinging against lip |58a. Thus the flow of Water will vary substantially in accordance with the flow of air and solution and thereby maintain a substantially uniform mixture. The tension of spring |51 may be adjusted by virtue of the threaded connection |6| of tube |60 with tube |46. When the fluid pressures are released, spring |51 automatically seats plunger |58. As the water stream emerges from tube |45 into chamber |55 it is somewhat atomized and directed outwardly by the conical face of the plunger |58 and by lip |58a so that the water stream intersects the air and chemical solution steam entering the chamber through passage |41 and the mixture is further atomized by being forced through screen |59 and through the Venturi outlet |50.

When nozzle valve 14 is open, with the air stream passing normally through the air line 40, the water line valve 80 is held open against the pressure of springs 8| and |09 by the air pressure within chamber ||2, which pressure forces the diaphragm center downwardly, the air pressure within chamber |2 being relatively greater than the pressure within chamber |5 due to the opening through valve being restricted. Restriction 44 is interposed in the air line ahead of the diaphragm element so as to restrict the air pressure to the eflicient capacity of the compressed air supply. To close oir the air, solution and water lines the operator manually turns the valve 14 at the nozzle, which valve acts directly to close the air-solution ow into chamber |40 of the nozzle. The closing of valve 14, shutting off as it does the iiow of air at the nozzle, causes an instantaneous equalization of pressure on the diaphragm within the chambers ||2 and ||5 through pipes 55, B0, permitting the Water valve to be seated by pressure of the spring 8|. Valve 80 will remain thus closed until nozzle valve 14 is again opened, at which time the restricted valve |20 in the `air line between pipes 55 and 60 causes a pressure differential inthe chambers I2, ||5 suiicient to depress lever 90A against the pressure of springs 8| and |09, and open valve 80. This remote control of the water line` valve enables the closing of the water line at a point remote from the nozzle, which insures against any solution within the nozzle backing up into the water line. It sometimes happens that the main water supply before it communicates with the unit is taxed by other uses, such for instance as water supply for nre-fighting apparatus, suiciently to induce a vacuum in line 25. To safeguard against such a vacuum pulling chemical solution from the nozzle into the water mains, I interpose in the water line 25 a vacuum breaker |25 of well known construction.

The operation of the device of Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, is as follows: With the pressure tank 20 having been lled with solution from tank |4 and valve 63 being in the position shown in Fig. l, to communicate air pressure to the tank 20, with the water line valves 25, B0 and air line valve 4| and chemical solutionline valve 56 and nozzle valve 14 all open, water, air and chemical solution are being fed under pressure through lines 33, 52, 10 to the nozzle, in whose mixture chamber |55 they are intimately admixed before being discharged therefrom as a spray. The discharge of chemical solution from hose 10, past check valve 12, into hose 52 (ahead of valve 14) takes place because of a pressure differential that exists at this point and causes check valve 12 to be moved from its seat against the action of its spring. This pressure differential is due partly to that induced by restriction |20 (pipe 62 being connected to pipe 40 ahead of restriction |20) and due partly to the lowered pressure of the air at the nozzle since it discharges to atmosphere. Valves 25, 4| and 66 are manually controllable. so that the operator may adjust the device to deliver any desired proportions to the nozzle. As hereinabove stated, when it is desired to stop the spray the operator may do so at the nozzle regardless of its distance from the casing 5, which contains the other elements of the device, by closing Valve 14, which in turn equalizes the pressure on the water valve actuating diaphragm to permit that water Valve to be closed by spring pressure. When valve 14 is closed, the air pressure on hose 52 becomes equalized with the pressure of the chemical solution in hose 10, thereby permitting check valve 12 to be seated by its spring.

After a spraying operation has been completed and tank 20 exhausted of its charge, tank 20 is then relieved of its pressure by moving valve 63 from the position of Fig. l to theV position of Fig. 4, which exhausts the air in chamber 20 as Well as any trapped solution in pipe |32, through the outlet end of pipe |32. With the pressure thus relieved in tank 20, the tank automatically refills by gravity flow through line |15 from the 2lb in pipe line I5.

main supply tank 4. After tank 20 has thus been refilled, valve 63 is turned back to the position of Fig. 1 to recommunicate pressure to tank 20, which pressure automatically closes fiap Valve When valve 63 is in the position of Fig. 4 and at least during the: time tank 20 is being filled by gravity fiow from tank I4, valve 'I4 maybe opened to deliver air and water for rinsing purposes, `the water valve being opened coincident with the opening of valve 'I4 as explained above. Check valves 64 and 'I2 prevent the compressed air from forcing the solution in hose 'I0 and pipe 65 back into tank 20. Hose 'I0 is prevented from collapsing by the uid trapped between check valves 64 and l2.

In Figs. 6 and 7, I show a variational form of my invention' wherein the parts are as before described and will be given like reference numerals, except insofar as I shall now describe.

In this variational form, I show, in lieu of the frame I0, a table 200 having corner supporting legs 20|, and upon this table I mount a tank 205 adapted to contain a chemical in concentrated liquid form, and a solution tank 2I0 from which a pipe I leads to the pressure tank 20 in the manner described hereinbefore.

In the main water line 25, I insert a T tting 2 I 2 between the vacuum breaker |25 and the outlet to the nozzle, from which T a pipe 2| 4 leads to another T member 2 I'I which has therethrough a Venturi-shaped passageway 2|5. A pipe 2|6, controlled by plunger valve 220, leads from the lower end of the T 2|'I to discharge into tank 2I0. A concentrate delivery line 22| leads from the tank 205 through a manual control valve 222 and through a check valve 223, which check valve seats towards the tank 205, into al restricted opening 224 in tting 2|`|. This opening 224 communicates with the restricted opening 228 in fitting 2|2. A float member 225 is pivotally connected at 226 to a bracket 221 mounted on pipe 2|6 and has an upwardly projecting arm 230 adapted to bear against plunger 23|, which plunger actuates valve member 220 to close said valve when the liquid level in tank 2|0 rises to the point shown in Fig. 6.

In this form of device the exhaust line |32 leads into solution tank 2|0 from the two-Way valve 63, which latter valve operates in the same manner and for the same purposes as before described, there being a manual control handle 240 mounted exterior of casing 5 on the valve operating shaft 24|, the inner end of which shaft is operatively connected to valve 63 in any of the well known manners. The'solution delivery line 65 is manually controlled by valve 245, which valve is actuated by means of a control handle 246 disposed outside casing 5 by being secured to the outer end of the valve operating shaft 247, said shaft being operatively connected :at its inner end to valve 245.

The differences in operation of this variational form of my invention as compared with Figs. 1 to 5I inclusive, are as follows: As the liquid level in the solution tank 2 I0 becomes suniciently low, the float 225 is thus lowered to permit 'valve pin 23| (which pin is normally urged outwardly into valve opening position b ,iy a coil spring within the valvememb-er 226, said spring not being shown) to move outwardly and open 'valve 220. This places the water line 25 in communicationy with the solution tank 2I0, delivering water to the tank 2|0 until the fluid level raises the float to close valve 220 (position of Fig. 6). The water stream passing `through the Venturishaped opening 228 in fitting 2I'I as tank 2|0 is being filled, induces a vacuum at the venturi which draws a proper amount of concentrate (which amount is controllable by adjustment of valve 222) from the tank 205 through line 22|, which concentrate is admixed with the water stream passing through the venturi 228. In that manner tank 2I0 is refilled with a solution `of cleaning chemical and water, which solution is in turn supplied from tank 2|0 to pressure tank 20 in the manner before described. The check valve 223 prevents backing up of water from fitting 2|2 into the concentrate tank 205 after valve 22|) has been closed.

While, in the foregoing description, I have resorted to various details of structure and association of parts, I wish it understood that I do not thereby confine my invention to such specific details. Rather, various modifications and adaptations may be made within the broader scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a fluid discharge member, a line for transmitting fluid under pressure from a source to said discharge member, a second fluid transmitting line for transmitting a fluid from a source to said discharge member, a Yvalve in the second line functioning to open and close communication therethrough, said valve being positioned in the said fluid line towards the source and at a point remote from the discharge member, pressure applying means for actuating said Valve in performing one of said functions, fluid pressure operated means for operating said valve in performing the other of said functions, said last mentioned means being actuated by the fluid pressure in the rst mentioned fluid transmitting line, and valve means positioned remote from said valve for controlling the fluid pressure in the first mentioned line whereby to cause it to operate the said fluid pressure operated means.

2. In a device of the class described, a fluid discharge member, a line for transmitting fluid under pressure from a source to said discharge member, a second fluid transmitting line for transmitting a fluid from a source to said discharge member, a valve in the second line for opening and closing communication therethrough, pressure applying means for operating said valve in closing position, means for moving said Valve into and maintaining it in open position against the action of said first mentioned pressure applying means, including: a diaphragm, a diaphragm casing, said diaphragm being mounted in and dividing the casing into two pressure chambers to which respective chambers the respective opposite faces of the diaphragm are exposed, a tube communicating pressure from the first mentioned fluid line to one of said chambers, a second tube spaced along said first mentioned fluid line from the first mentioned tube and communicating pressure from said first mentioned line to the other of said chambers, means forming a restriction in said first mentioned line between said tubes whereby to cause greater pressure to be transmitted to one of said chambers than to the other when the outlet end of said first mentioned line is open, and means for opening and closing the outlet end of said first mentioned line.

3. A device of the class described comprising, in combination with sources adapted to deliver fluid under pressure, a nozzle, fluid delivery lines leading to the nozzle, the first of said lines leading from one of said sources and the second of said lines having a restriction therein and leading from another of said sources, a control valve in the first of said lines at a point remote from the nozzle, spring means urging the valve into closing position, a casing divided into opposite pressure chambers by a flexible diaphragm mounted therein, means establishing communication between the second line and one of the chambers at a point between said source and said restriction, means establishing communication between the other of said chambers and said second line at a point between the restriction and the nozzle, means operatively connected at one end to the diaphragm and at its other end to the valve for opening the valve against said spring pressure by virtue of movement of the diaphragm, and manual control means at the nozzle for controlling communication of pressure from the second line to said respective chambers whereby to cause movement of the diaphragm.

4. In a device of the class described, a discharge nozzle, a pair of lines for transmitting fluid under pressure from respective sources to said nozzle, a valve in the rst of said lines functioning to open and close communication therethrough, means for actuating said valve to perform one of said functions, uid pressure operated means communicating with the second of said lines and operably connected to said valve to actuate the same to perform the other of said functions, said fluid pressure operated means including a casing, a diaphragm separating the casing into two opposite chambers, a restriction in the second line, means establishing communication between one of the chambers and the second line at a point between the restriction and said source and means establishing communication of the other of said chambers with the second line at a point between the restriction and the nozzle.

5. A device of the class described including a uid discharge member, a main fluid delivery line leading from a source capable of delivering fluid under pressure and having its discharge end communicating with the discharge member, a storage tank open to atmosphere, a pressure tank below the storage tank, a passage establishing communication between said tanks, a check valve in said passage and seating towards the storage tank, a fluid delivery line leading from the liuid pressure tank to the discharge member, a branch line leading from the main fluid delivery line to the pressure tank to maintain pressure therein, a bleed line leading from said branch line to atmosphere, and a valve in the branch line at the intersection therewith of the bleed line, said valve being independent of the main iiuid line and operable to close communication from the main fluid line to the pressure tank and bleed the latter to atmosphere while permitting the main fluid delivery line to the discharge member to remain open.

6. A device of the class described comprising, in combination with sources adapted to deliver fluids under pressure, a discharge member, valve means for opening and closing the discharge member, first and second uid delivery lines leading from said respective sources to the discharge member, the first of said lines having a restriction between its ends whereby to cause a pressure diiferential in said line between the respective sides of the restriction when the discharge member is open, a control valve in the second of said lines at a point remote from the discharge member, spring means operating said valve in one direction, diaphragm means operatively connected with said control valve, and means establishing communication between the respective sides of said diaphragm and the rst fluid delivery line at the respective sides of said restriction, said diaphragm means being operable by said pressure differential in the iirst of said lines to move said control valve in the other direction against said spring.

DONALD P. HUNTER. 

